The panellus you referred to is not it. This was at least 5 or 6 inches in the longest dimension that grew up along the dead tree. It was a hardwood tree. There was no stalk and cap. There was just a place where it attached to the tree. It was very meaty and very nice.
Okay, I think
this is it. Only it's not grey. Well, maybe my memory has faded to grey. Anyway, it's "the Oyster ( Pleurotus ostreatus) mushrooms, also known as Elephant Ears." They say that it can be found all year (well, probably not
all year in Illinois...ha ha ha) but that the fall ones can get as large as a dinner plate. They can also have a varied appearance. On the same page they describe the hedgehog mushroom and say that it can't be mistaken for anything poisonous and is very delicious. Have you ever had one of these?
Oysters - yes. They are somewhat common so that makes sense. They are very good in soups which is how I tried them when I found a quantity of them. I can see how your memory would be of a light grey. I think I’ve seen that myself. Anyway, glad you solved that mystery.
I was off trying to sign up for photo bucket so I could post a couple of photos from my computer on here but I can’t get the sign up to work even though I allowed cookies from the site. This is the second time I’ve tried and I’m giving up. Can anybody recommend another photo site to use? I don’t want to use my own .com web site because then I’d be too easy to ID and I want to preserve the ability to say unflattering things about certain politicians like the stinker in the WH.